Coastal Incentive Grant Program

The Coastal Incentive Grant Program is administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division as part of the Georgia Coastal Management Program. This program is funded through federal support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Coastal Zone Management Act, with funds passed through to eligible applicants as subgrants. The program is designed to support projects that balance economic development with the preservation and protection of Georgia’s coastal natural, environmental, historic, and recreational resources. Each funding cycle is guided by priorities established by the Coastal Advisory Council and approved through state processes before public release. The purpose of the program is to fund projects that align with identified coastal management priorities, including sustainable communities, oceans and wetlands, disaster resiliency, public access and land conservation, and nature-based solutions. Projects may include planning, research, habitat restoration, public access improvements, or low-cost construction initiatives such as boardwalks, boat ramps, and shoreline stabilization efforts. All funded activities must occur entirely within the eleven-county coastal region of Georgia, which includes Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Charlton, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Wayne counties. Funding is provided as reimbursable subgrants, meaning recipients must initially incur costs and then request reimbursement upon completion of deliverables. Applicants may request up to 80000 dollars per year, and projects may be proposed for one or two years, with second-year funding contingent upon federal approval. A mandatory cost share is required at a one-to-one ratio, meaning recipients must match federal funds with non-federal contributions, which may include cash or in-kind services. Indirect costs are allowable under federal guidance, with a maximum de minimis rate of 10 percent if no negotiated rate exists. Eligibility is limited to qualified local governments within Georgia’s coastal region, state agencies other than the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and state-affiliated educational or research institutions. Other entities may participate only if sponsored by an eligible organization. All applicants must comply with federal and state regulations, including environmental laws, non-discrimination requirements, and procurement standards. Projects must demonstrate alignment with the Georgia Coastal Management Program mission and clearly articulate their contribution to coastal management objectives. The application process consists of a competitive two-phase system. Applicants must first submit a pre-application through an online portal by the specified deadline, summarizing project goals, relevance, and estimated budget. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full application with detailed work plans, timelines, budgets, and supporting documentation. Full applications undergo a technical review by a multi-sector committee and are scored based on criteria such as problem definition, project outcomes, feasibility, budget soundness, and relevance to coastal management priorities. Key deadlines for the Cycle 29 funding round include a pre-application submission deadline of December 5, 2025, followed by a full application deadline of February 13, 2026 for invited applicants. Applicants are notified of pre-application results in January and final funding recommendations in April, with final approval contingent upon federal review by NOAA in August 2026. Projects are expected to begin on October 1, 2026 and run through September 30, 2027. The program operates on an annual cycle, and prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor future announcements for subsequent funding opportunities. Applicants may contact the program’s Grants Specialist for assistance with application requirements, eligibility questions, or technical issues with the submission portal. Additional resources such as application guides, sample forms, and evaluation criteria are provided to support applicants in preparing competitive proposals. The program emphasizes strong project design, measurable outcomes, and alignment with coastal resource management priorities to ensure effective use of public funding.

Ensure strong alignment with coastal management priorities; clearly define problem and measurable outcomes; provide detailed and realistic budget; demonstrate coastal need and practical application; include strong partnerships and match contributions